Angela James

Description

You might call Angela James’ voice arresting. Her rich, crooning style is clearly inspired by singers from her upbringing in Tennessee; names like Hazel Dickens and Neko Case aren’t far-reaching comparisons. James’ new album, Now That I Have You releasing April 2022, is an embrace and celebration of a new phase of life as an artist/caregiver. James also performs in a contemplative music duo called Shivering Sands with her partner Jordan Martins and teaches early childhood music classes throughout Chicago. She believes that songwriting and musical collaboration and improvisation are possible at any age. 

Work Sample

My first work sample is a video created for the title track of my forthcoming 4th LP, Now That I Have You, released on 4/22/22. It is 4 minutes and 49 seconds long. I created the video with a director using shots of me in a domestic space packing along with found footage collected from friends of mine and the directors to create a video collage of love and daily life. 

My second work sample was the lead single of my first LP, Way Down Deep, which was released in 2014. This song is entitled Drink and Try Not to Cry and references a relationship falling apart and pays homage to the historical country music narrative of drinking and crying.

My final work sample is a music video of a single entitled Sailing from my 3rd LP, Quiet Night: A Collection of Lullabies, which was released in April 2019. I wrote a collection of original lullabies after recovering from postpartum depression and anxiety which became my third record. This video was made in collaboration with visual artist Selina Trepp, who created animations based on the song and footage of me singing the song. 

The first two work samples are music videos are some of my latest work that will soon be released, therefore representing my sound and production in its most recent form. There is continuity between my first LP (released in 2014), my second LP (released in 2016) and my 4th record (releasing 4/22). The third work sample is from my third LP, which was a record of original lullabies written when my child was an infant and we were all sleep-deprived. I thought about sleep all the time and I collaborated with other parents of small children for the entire record from musicians to the cover artwork, and all technical aspects in between. I have been teaching early childhood music at nursery schools in Chicago for 10 years and that record was the first record release show that was ostensibly for some of my youngest fans and their parents. 

History

As a singer I’ve been performing for my entire life, but it wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I had the confidence to fully pursue a professional artistic career. The past 10 years of writing, collaborating and performing on stage have given me the gift of finding inspiration in failing, succeeding and ultimately growing through my art in public. I collaborate with many fellow artists across genres and disciplines and have learned deeply from the improvisational spirit that thrives in Chicago.
I have released one EP and three LPs. My most recent release was a collection of lullabies that emerged from my struggle with a postpartum mood disorder, Quiet Night: A Collection of Lullabies. My forthcoming 4th LP, “Now That I Have You,” poetically reflects the challenges and triumphs of my life as a mother, educator and caregiver for my mother-in-law with dementia. My songwriting is first and foremost centered in emotional honesty, storytelling and vulnerability. As a guitar player I work to find the simplest and most spacious accompaniment to my voice. With every project I seek to expand upon the spontaneity of creativity while honing my craft, finding the balance between holding on and letting go. 

Artistic Vision

My ultimate goal is to sustain a long-term artistic practice synthesized into my daily life and relationships. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified all of the challenges inherent in being a caregiver and artist making work at home while dealing with loss of income, time and personal space. However, I now have an audio interface which enables me to record easily at home, and in addition to the production of this latest record, I’ve been working on a contemplative minimalist musical project with my partner Jordan Martins called “Shivering Sands.” I also hope to resume my immersive and neurologically inclusive audio/visual performance for young children and families called “Unwinding Together” in fall of 2022 with a tour of museums and institutions that was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19. I consider my artistic practice to be fully integrated into almost everything I do- from my work as a yoga instructor and early childhood music educator, to my home life as a creative partner, mother and caregiver. The work is always evolving and growing with my relationships and the love that flows between them.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I have been working with young children for the past 10 years, first in the Wiggleworms program at the Old Town School of Folk Music and then later at the Green Bean Day School and Stepping Stones Nursery school, where I currently still teach music to ages 6 mos-5 years. I have a neuro-inclusive multimedia project for children and caregivers called "Unwinding Together" that promotes relaxation and creativity through film and musical improvisation. I debuted this project at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago in December 2019 and had a tour planned for libraries on the east coast in the summer of 2020 but that has been indefinitely postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.